Catholic Olympian and international skating superstar Kim Yuna is a role model

by Addie Mena | Source: CNA/EWTN News

Washington D.C., Feb 16, 2014 (CNA/EWTN
News)

Catholic Olympian and international
skating superstar Kim Yuna is a role model not only of dedication and athleticism but also an
example of how to live the faith publicly, a fan says.

Seminarian for the Archdiocese of Detroit and blog writer Evan Pham told CNA on Feb. 11 that he was
struck by Kim's simple act of praying on ice during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

He said that he was inspired when he and his family saw "a clip of
her doing the sign of the cross" and bowing her head immediately before competing the finals for the
ladies' skating title, which she won.

"There was this young
woman out there on the Olympic ice and all these cameras are constantly on her," Pham said. "She was
not scared. She just wanted to pray: she didn't care who was watching."

"What an inspiration," he said of this simple act of public
prayer.

In her home country of South Korea, Kim is regarded
as one of the most famous celebrities, particularly after winning the 2010 Olympics in ladies'
freestyle with a record-breaking score.

Arguably one
of the best in the history of modern figure skating, Kim holds world record scores in the ladies'
skating short program, free skate and combined score, and has broken world record scores 11 times to
date.

However, in addition to using her celebrity in
documentaries and ad campaigns for cosmetics, clothing, and electronics, Kim's renown has served as
an opportunity for the skating star to share her Catholic faith.

Kim converted to the Catholic faith alongside her mother in 2008
after they came in contact with local nuns and Catholic organizations through her personal physician
– also a Catholic – who was treating her for knee injuries.

At her baptism, Kim took the name "Stella" after Mary, Star of the Sea, and told a diocesan paper
that during the baptismal rite she "felt an enormous consolation in my heart" and promised God to
continue to "pray always," especially before competitions.

Since then, Kim has shown her faith to the international world,
crossing herself as she steps onto the ice during performances and competitions. In 2010, she also
joined with the Korean bishops in a national campaign to explain the rosary to the Korean public –
and to explain the meaning of the rosary ring she herself wears to fans who mistook it for an
engagement ring.

Kim has also been active in using her
position as an opportunity for charitable works, volunteering and donating funds to Catholic
Hospitals, Universities, and other charitable organizations, and working alongside the Catholic
bishops in Korea as a spokeswoman for Catholic charities in Seoul.

Additionally, in 2012, Kim donated hundreds of thousands of dollars
to Salesian of Don Bosco to help support the missionary brothers in South Sudan and to establish
Catholic Schools throughout the war-torn country, meeting with Salesian brothers in Seoul to
personally deliver the gift.

She told Korean press that while
visiting Africa in 2011 she "felt the need to help out children there," and wanted "to offer what
little support I can" to those in Africa.

This public
witness, Pham said, has inspired him to be more open with sharing his own beliefs.

He explained that growing up, he was "very anxious about my faith"
especially praying in public. "I didn't want them to think I was strange," he said, adding that in
some ways publicly expressing one's beliefs is " basically painting a target on your forehead" for
negative comments, jokes and even persecution.

When he saw
Kim praying on the ice, however, his fear was challenged.

"It's a regular
thing for her," he said of her pre-skating prayers. "Wow. What a way of witness," Pham said, noting
that her actions made him ask himself, "If she can do this, why can't I do this?"

Yuna Kim taught him about "the chances we have of manifesting" the
Catholic faith to the public, Pham said.

"What would I
choose," he continued, "being afraid or not afraid? Being not afraid is so much more
beautiful."

Now, Pham said, he is much more open to praying
in public and sharing his faith with strangers- including on his blog, but the skating star's
example still comes back to him.

"If I'm ever second thinking
about making a sign of the cross, I think about what I saw."

Pham said that Kim is often in his prayers, and has inspired him to "take the time to pray" for
other public figures who have "so much potential to do good."

"I really hope that she continues to use her influence in a good way: to be an evangelist."

For the 2014 Olympics, Kim competed in the ladies' freestyle skate and won the silver medal.

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